At Least He's Good at Something, Even if It's Screwin' Up

President George W. Bush is really making a strong run at the title "Worst President Ever." While anyone reading this is probably already of that mind, a new Washington Post poll finds that plenty of Americans are coming around to that appraisal.

President Bush is a competitive guy. But this is one contest he would
rather lose. With 18 months left in office, he is in the running for most
unpopular president in the history of modern polling.


The latest
Washington Post-ABC News survey shows that 65 percent of Americans disapprove of
Bush's job performance, matching his all-time low.


In polls conducted by
The Post or Gallup going back to 1938, only twice has a president exceeded that
level of public animosity -- Harry S. Truman, who hit 67 percent during the
Korean War, and Richard M. Nixon, who hit 66 percent four days before resigning.


The historic depth of Bush's public standing has whipsawed his White
House, sapped his clout, drained his advisers, encouraged his enemies and
jeopardized his legacy. Around the White House, aides make gallows-humor jokes
about how they can alienate their remaining supporters -- at least those aides
not heading for the door. Outside the White House, many former aides privately
express anger and bitterness at their erstwhile colleagues, Bush and the fate of
his presidency.


Bush has been so down for so long that some advisers maintain it no longer
bothers them much. It can even, they say, be liberating.

One point shy of Nixon. It nearly boggles the mind. With close to two years to go in his presidency, the smart money sez Dubya can catch Tricky Dick.